LaFountain said the town and the seller, The Dolomite Group, continue to negotiate toward a purchase and sales agreement.

While the town board had initially promised residents a referendum on the purchase, on Nov. 20 it nonetheless went ahead and approved a $3.65 million bonding resolution to buy the former golf course without allowing the public to weigh in.

That move sparked the petition drive, which ultimately collected 1,133 signatures, significantly more than the minimum 685 signatures needed to force a referendum.

The 212-acre Shadow Pines site, off of Whalen and Clark roads, was considered for redevelopment into a housing subdivision last year until public outcry led town government to intervene.

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